Chapter 194: Going to Land of Iron

Madara Uchiha scrutinized Obito.

How many times had that name come up?

Almost every other sentence seemed to revolve around "Naruto Uzumaki," even when he wasn't directly mentioned.

Could a sixteen-year-old really be compared to Hashirama Senju?

"You've managed to rally the Five Great Nations," Madara mused, "and this Kabuto character..."

"Has mastered Tobirama's jutsu."

"Even if Hashirama himself were revived at his peak, it wouldn't be impossible to defeat him."

Obito opened his mouth to speak, but the thoughts forming were hard to voice.

He had never met Hashirama, only heard legends of the "God of Ninja."

"Are you suggesting that this Naruto Uzumaki might be stronger than Hashirama?" Madara scoffed, his tone resolute. "That's impossible."

"Hashirama..."

"Represents the pinnacle of ninja power."

"Naruto might one day reach Hashirama's level."

"But right now, he's still just sixteen."

Obito kept silent.

Kabuto, maintaining his usual smile, chimed in, "Madara-sama, do you have any specific requirements for your body?"

Madara glanced at him.

"The body can be customized," Kabuto explained softly. "Those revived by Edo Tensei are limited by their physical forms and can't exhibit their full strength."

"Of course, that's not a flaw of the jutsu itself."

"If we carefully prepare a suitable vessel, it would allow Madara-sama to display more of his power."

Madara nodded. "Tobirama truly created a remarkable technique."

"In that case..."

"Obito, hand over the materials to him."

Obito nodded.

…

In the Land of Rice Fields, at the Sound Village, Naruto wasn't in a hurry to leave. After his battle with the "program" set by the Sage of Six Paths in Konoha, it seemed a "vacuum field" had formed around him. Souls that died within this "field" weren't immediately taken by the Sage of Six Paths but remained close to him.

Power really is the best bargaining chip.

With this assurance, he felt comfortable using his full strength.

In the training ground, Karin stood across from Naruto, staring at "another version of herself." "This feels so strange."

Her soul had been drawn out of her body by Naruto.

This was her first time experiencing such a state.

"You'll get used to it," Naruto said with a smile. "A soul is freer than a physical body."

He walked over, placing a hand on Karin's head.

"Feel this power."

"Try to learn how to control it."

He extracted a portion of the "Shinigami's power" and injected it into the red-haired girl's body.

The spiritual energy within her began to stir, swirling under the protection of her chakra.

"This is that power," Karin murmured, looking down at her hands.

She suddenly raised one hand, pointing forward, and chanted a spell.

The technique she had been struggling to master for years was now effortlessly executed.

"Hadō #4. Byakurai (白雷, Pale Lightning)."

A Kidō shot toward Yang Nine-Tails.

Nine-Tails lazily swatted the white light away with his tail.

Yin Nine-Tails sneered, "How weak."

"That wasn't even a massage."

Karin gritted her teeth.

"She's only just begun to wield this power," Naruto chuckled, shaking his head. "It takes practice to grow."

"She's not like you, an old creature who's lived for hundreds of years."

Yang Nine-Tails clicked his tongue.

Naruto turned his head, sensing Orochimaru's presence approaching the training room.

With a wave of his hand, chains opened the door.

Orochimaru entered without hesitation. "Naruto-kun, I have some bad news to share."

Sasuke followed closely behind, his expression grim.

Naruto glanced at him.

Orochimaru didn't waste time getting to the point. "The Five Great Ninja Villages have united to launch an attack on you."

"They've gathered an army of over forty thousand ninjas."

Karin turned her head, astonished. "How is this possible? So suddenly?"

"Naruto hasn't done anything recently."

It seemed utterly inexplicable.

If the "Cloud" attack had triggered a Five Nations "crusade," that would have made sense to her.

But recently...

Naruto had mostly been teaching her how to master the Zanpakutō, and today, she had just gained the "Shinigami's power."

The only recent event was the killing of "Danzo."

But even within Konoha, people had been hoping for his death.

Moreover, Naruto had a reasonably good relationship with Mist Village.

How could things escalate to the point of a Five Nations alliance?

Sasuke looked down, his voice somewhat strained. "It's my fault."

"I told Kakashi and the others that I wanted to overthrow the ninja system. Maybe that statement is what made the Daimyos anxious."

"So now they want to take action against you—and me."

While most of the focus was on the name "Naruto Uzumaki," few paid attention to "Sasuke Uchiha" standing beside him.

Orochimaru had taken note and had analyzed the situation.

"Is that so?" Naruto's tone was calm. "The Five Nations have all encountered me, and yet they still have the courage to do this."

"Should I commend them?"

Orochimaru shook his head. "It's not courage."

"I had my subordinates investigate, and it turns out that the Daimyos were very insistent on this."

"There are many who are unwilling to be your enemy."

"The Five Kages have been replaced multiple times, just to find someone willing to follow their orders and oppose you."

Naruto nodded. "I see."

He felt an indescribable sense of absurdity.

The leaders of the villages were being frequently replaced, and yet the ninjas had no objections?

So compliant, no resistance?

The strong being ruled by the weak.

"And I recall, weren't the Daimyos always indifferent to ninja affairs?" Naruto continued. "To make such a judgment and decision..."

"It's not just because of what Sasuke Uchiha said."

"I'm the primary target."

Orochimaru licked his lips. "Oh, so Naruto-kun noticed as well?"

"If someone wasn't stirring the pot from behind the scenes, it wouldn't have been possible for the Five Nations to unite so readily."

"I've never seen them act this way."

He paused, lowering his voice, his tone serious. "I've been trying to track Kabuto's whereabouts during this time."

"He seems to have sealed himself off; Ryūchi Cave hasn't detected anything."

"But..."

"I managed to catch a lead."

"It seems Kabuto is in the Land of Iron."

"Where the Five Daimyos are meeting."

Naruto nodded. "So the one pulling the strings behind the scenes is Obito Uchiha?"

Orochimaru squinted. "You'll be facing the entire ninja world."

"What do you plan to do, Naruto-kun?"

Naruto remained calm, gently waving his hand to guide Karin's soul back into her body. "Are swarms of ants frightening?"

Orochimaru chuckled.

"And it's also a good opportunity, isn't it, Sasuke?" Naruto turned his head.

Sasuke tilted his head slightly upward. "Naruto, are you planning..."

Naruto nodded. "Playing hide and seek isn't fun at all."

"And I have no patience to wait for them to come to me."

"The Land of Iron isn't far; consider it a little trip."

"I also need chakra as material for Asauchi."

Sasuke nodded. "I understand."

"Orochimaru, you're coming too," Naruto said, directly calling him out.

"Me?" Orochimaru raised his hands. "I'm just a researcher with no combat ability right now."

Naruto didn't respond.

…

Three days later, in the Land of Iron.

Madara Uchiha stretched his body. "Kabuto, your abilities are quite impressive."

"This body..."

"Makes me feel almost as strong as when I was young."

Kabuto bowed his head with a slight smile. "Thanks to the materials provided by Madara-sama."

"I've never seen a body so perfectly suited for Edo Tensei."

Madara didn't respond, his gaze sweeping over the room filled with coffins.

"The Five Great Nations have sent so many old friends' bodies." He spoke slowly. "It's quite the feat."

"It seems taking down this Naruto Uzumaki..."

Before he could finish, a ninja resembling a pitcher plant emerged from underground: "Madara, White Zetsu has detected Naruto Uzumaki's presence."

"He's appeared on the border of the Land of Iron."

"With him..."

"Are Karin Uzumaki, Orochimaru, Neji Hyūga, and Sasuke Uchiha."

Madara turned his head.

"A full house," Kabuto remarked with a light tone. "It seems they intend to wipe us out in one go."

This situation didn't surprise them.

The gathering speed of ninjas was slow, and once the word got out, it was inevitable that Naruto would make the first move.

Just as he had done when he received intelligence on the Akatsuki and immediately launched a campaign against the Land of Rain.

They were mentally prepared.

So during this time, they had been tirelessly preparing for war.

Madara's new body.

The ninjas revived by Edo Tensei...

Madara focused on two of the coffins. "I hope Obito can speed things up."

"Kabuto, it's up to you now."

Kabuto nodded and smiled as he formed a series of hand seals.

Chakra surged, connecting with most of the coffins.

"Edo Tensei."

One by one, the coffins opened, revealing the faces of the revived ninjas.

"Not this jutsu again," Tobirama Senju said, full of impatience and disgust. "This is despicable."

"To toy with the souls of the dead repeatedly..."

His words abruptly stopped.

His gaze fell upon the face of the person in front of him, his pupils dilating in shock.

The man who emerged from the coffin beside him, his elder brother, Senju Hashirama, also wore a solemn expression. "Madara..."

"Have you been revived by Edo Tensei?"

"Or did you survive all this time?"

Madara didn't respond.

Kabuto formed another hand seal.

The revived souls fell silent.

"Can you handle this many?" Madara asked him.

Kabuto replied softly, "I've surpassed even Orochimaru-sama in mastering this jutsu."

"Only a small amount of chakra is needed."

"They will maintain their consciousness while still obediently following my orders."

~~~

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